shilohs-things
__________
178 posts
Latest Posts by shilohs-things
Fifteen years ago, my favorite animated movie released in theaters. I saw it two days later; at only 6 years old, seeing the film in 3D, my entire world had been changed.
more under the cut; autistic, passionate ramblings ahead.
How to Train Your Dragon came out at the perfect time for me. A few months before its release, my uncle had gifted me his old PlayStation 1 console, and I'd been blazing through Spyro 3: Year of the Dragon over and over again for weeks. Spyro 3 had kickstarted a deep obsession with dragons. From the day I first started playing it, all I could think about were dragons. If it had dragons on it, I wanted it. This led to other core childhood memories -- the one I recall most being my Dad picking up a book for me: "Dragonology" by Ernest Drake.
I'm still not sure where on Earth he found this book, but all that mattered back then was that it'd ended up in my lap, and it had dragons on it.
As I was known to do, I let my obsession with dragons seep into everything I did. While I wasn't as much of a writer as I am now, back then, whenever my friends asked me to come out and play, I'd always have one non-arguable condition: that I could pretend to be a dragon. Sometimes I was a big, mean, scary dragon, the likes of Smaug or Malefor. Other times, I was a cuddly, curious, likable protagonist dragon, like Spyro. But regardless of what dragon I was during play, all my reptilian escapades gave me a reputation: from my neighborhood to the halls at school, I became the "dragon girl." Kids I didn't know would come up to me and show me dragons. Teachers would print pictures of dragons for me, ask me on and on about them (I'd repeatedly bring my Dragonology book to school in order to show my teacher, and ask her fervently if she believed the "invisible dust" on Page 17 would actually work -- her answer was always "It could, but don't experiment in my classroom, please"). It was heaven for me, being the dragon girl.
My instant gravitation towards anything dragon-related makes the fact that I didn't know about How to Train Your Dragon until two days after its release quite comical. But that was how it went: my sibling, years older than me and already tired of my unshakeable instinct to follow them around everywhere, had been invited to come out and see the movie by a friend of theirs, and had done everything possible to keep me from finding out. But eventually the news found me, and as I ran to them to insist I come along, too, the words they used to try to dissuade me are still fresh in my mind.
"You don't want to watch it, it's a scary dragon movie."
And because I'd heard the word 'dragon', obviously my response was, "COOL!"
I can't remember who paid my way in, but I pray it was our mother, and not my sibling's poor, dear friend. Regardless of who covered my $8 matinee, I sat down in those cushiony theater seats not even an hour later, ready to watch the very first dragon-related film I'd ever seen in my life.
And it just so happens that I witnessed not only my first dragon film, but also the pinaccle of animated movies. In 3D.
To say that How To Train Your Dragon changed my life... despite that the highest bar something fictional could achieve, it still feels like an understatement all these years later. The film was nothing I'd expected it to be; simply having dragons in it was going to be enough, but HTTYD had more. I'll never forget the pure exhilaration of Test Drive in 3D, the way the score swept over the room in quiet and daring moments alike; a story that captivated me, about friendship and finding somewhere you belong. I was lucky enough to not have experienced bullying at that time in my life (or, if I had, was simply too naive to realize it was happening), but I remember watching Hiccup struggle and being able to sympathize with him all the same. And while I may not have been Hiccup down to the mark, I could at least relate to my interpretation of him: the wonder yet anxiety of a world opening up before you, and the pain that was trusted adults looking down at you critically instead of out at that world you saw.
Seeing How To Train Your Dragon in theaters was the best experience I could have had at such a young age. I had truly witnessed something one of a kind, and it was obvious not just to myself back then, but everyone else in the roon with me. A recurring story in my family is literally the fact that I stood up and went "WOOHOO" after finding out Hiccup and Toothless survived the fight with the Red Death, only after I had screamed "NOOOO" as Hiccup was knocked off of Toothless' saddle minutes prior. The second I got home from seeing the film, I began creating original characters, writing stories set in the film's universe (what we all know as 'fanfiction'), things I had rarely done in the past, for anything.
I couldn't get enough. I remember trying to track the days until DVD release without the Internet, watching the TV eagle-eyed every day until finally, the teasers for home release began to air. My neighbor had gotten a copy long before I managed to - a copy that would soon end up being mine anyways, after I borrowed it, didn't give it back when I was told to, and was never asked about it again.
How to Train Your Dragon has been the creative backbone to practically everything I've ever made. At least one soundtrack piece has made it into every playlist I've ever made, with the motifs inspiring events in stories from completely different universes (like @peacedoveau , my Sonic The Hedgehog [2006] rewrite project). My love for this film has followed me for 15 long years of my life, and I've always struggled to put it into words because of that; how do you explain 15 years of love? How do you transcribe every little moment where you remembered you saw How To Train Your Dragon in freaking 3d, and how happy it had made you?
I would not be where I am without this film. I wouldn't have made any of the things I'd ever made. I wouldn't even be the same person. 15 years later, whenever I watch How to Train Your Dragon, I'm immediately transported back in time to 2010. I'm watching the credits roll over Jonsi's Sticks and Stones, and knowing deep down that I am not the same as I was.
This movie is timeless -- it will always be timeless. And there is nothing that may be made in the future that can take it off the top of my list.
So, 15 years after release, I'm glad I could finally tell the world just how much this film means to me.
Happy 15 year anniversary, How To Train Your Dragon!
Help him!!!
are you the guy who said he'd make out with monster kinito or are you someone else (so sorry if im mistaken, same name as a friend)
listen buddy i dont wanna say im the person ur looking for but that sounds exactly like something id confess to so im gonna say yes
Like to STAB
Reblog to STAB AGAIN
Going from "we're the voice of peace, and bit by bit we will change this world" to "dragons are waiting for us to learn how to get along" is such a downgrade.
Never really paid attention to Hiccup's face in this little part here. I've always watched Toothless and his reaction to the idea of finding more of his kind. Heartbreaking stuff, that.
With that being said: that facial expression on Hiccup is PERFECT. There's something so sad about it. It's frustration and desire, but it feels most like a confused yearning - why hasn't this worked yet?
This is the one thing that keeps getting away from both of them; all their exploring, all their charting the world together, and they haven't found another Night Fury yet, not even on accident. Hiccup Haddock, the dragon lover and conservationist he is, isn't just worried about potentially finding Toothless's family. He's not only sad because his friend has no kin -- he looks worried here. Troubled.
There's an entire species out there that's completely unfindable. And he just doesn't understand why.
And after he makes this expression, his very next sentence:
-"So, what do you say? Just keep going?"
Because, really, what else can they do?
thinking about the last night furies again.
thinking about the bachelors who searched every corner of the earth for a mate. the ones who died in captivity, having not felt the sun in ages. the new-mates who were struck from the air together and died scared, angry, loving. those precious few who took their last breaths amongst family while the swan songs of their bloodline played outside, unaware. the babies who were poached. the families torn apart.
thinking about the last night fury, who never quite understood. who had always looked to the stars at night, wondering where his proud kind was, why they had not found their way to sanctuary like so many others. thinking about the last night fury, and his new-nest and his new-mate. his new sanctuary where his own swan songs play, speckled in white, half-him, half not. they are the closest to kin he has. and still, he waits. he calls. he searches.
they'll come. they'll come.
This is my alt account but ya!! I'm still doing this, leave long reviews on my fics and get $2 :333
pls review my work! i'll reward you with money!
ARE YOU IN ANY OF THE FANDOMS LISTED?
DO YOU WANT TO READ A CUTE FANFIC?
if that's the case, please consider checking out my ao3 account! i have 7 stories up currently for an array of fandoms. i'm in search of long reviews/feedback for them to make me feel better!
if you decide to leave a review on any fic and would like one in return on a work of your own (even if it's art!), please let me know! i'm also offering $2 to each person who gives a long review on one of my stories!
in The Nine Realms season 6, the Riders medically screen Thunder and discover his eons of horrible genetics, leading to him being humanely euthanized.
Well, friends, we're steadily approaching the end of our countdown!
The STA teams have been pretty tight-lipped about this new project, haven't they? Across their social media, the most we have seen are reposts of fanart, and old screenshots from the original game!
It's been a long wait with few clues, but we've almost made it! Who's excited?
What we know so far about the Slender: The Arrival announcement
(Special thanks to @them0rtal for making the post that helped me realize this is even happening)
#1: On June 22nd at 10:00 a.m., the official Slender: The Arrival Twitter account (@/PlaySlenderTA) made a post. It contained a 13 second video, along with the caption "He's waiting... #slenderman #slenderTA".
#2: At 10:07 a.m., the account for Blue Isle Studios quote retweets this post. They add the caption "The countdown has started: slenderarrival.com".
Following the link will lead visitors to the promotional website established for the game. Underneath an image of Slenderman, a countdown can be found.
This countdown is set to end in roughly 34 days.
Beneath a link to the Youtube upload of the teaser video, visitors also have the option to provide their email addresses in order to "stay tuned".
Aside from this teaser and the updated website, no other details about the project have been provided. Fans have begun to speculate on what this announcement could mean for Slender: The Arrival, and what type of product is being teased.
Ahead are a few speculations and theories on what this announcement could be for.
A remake/remaster of Slender: The Arrival. Due to the updated graphics in the teaser video and the fact that it references a scene towards the ending of the original game, many believe that this is a hint that The Arrival is getting a face-lift.
A continuation of the original game. Some fans, while playing the teaser with audio, have noticed that it contains the sounds of male breathing. Assuming that the figure on the stairs is Charlie (since he is the one guarding the stairs in the original scene this teaser is referencing), this breathing sounds too mature to be coming from him. This has led many to theorize that this could be a new protagonist, likely to be an adult male.
Others believe this could be a port to Switch, a PS5-exclusive remaster, etc.
It is currently unknown what will happen once the countdown ends. Many are assuming there will be an official reveal (trailer, proper announcement, etc.), which should finally confirm what exactly it is in regards to The Arrival.
I will be keeping an eye on this as best as I can. If anyone finds any extra information, please reply to this post!
What we know so far about the Slender: The Arrival announcement
(Special thanks to @them0rtal for making the post that helped me realize this is even happening)
#1: On June 22nd at 10:00 a.m., the official Slender: The Arrival Twitter account (@/PlaySlenderTA) made a post. It contained a 13 second video, along with the caption "He's waiting... #slenderman #slenderTA".
#2: At 10:07 a.m., the account for Blue Isle Studios quote retweets this post. They add the caption "The countdown has started: slenderarrival.com".
Following the link will lead visitors to the promotional website established for the game. Underneath an image of Slenderman, a countdown can be found.
This countdown is set to end in roughly 34 days.
Beneath a link to the Youtube upload of the teaser video, visitors also have the option to provide their email addresses in order to "stay tuned".
Aside from this teaser and the updated website, no other details about the project have been provided. Fans have begun to speculate on what this announcement could mean for Slender: The Arrival, and what type of product is being teased.
Ahead are a few speculations and theories on what this announcement could be for.
A remake/remaster of Slender: The Arrival. Due to the updated graphics in the teaser video and the fact that it references a scene towards the ending of the original game, many believe that this is a hint that The Arrival is getting a face-lift.
A continuation of the original game. Some fans, while playing the teaser with audio, have noticed that it contains the sounds of male breathing. Assuming that the figure on the stairs is Charlie (since he is the one guarding the stairs in the original scene this teaser is referencing), this breathing sounds too mature to be coming from him. This has led many to theorize that this could be a new protagonist, likely to be an adult male.
Others believe this could be a port to Switch, a PS5-exclusive remaster, etc.
It is currently unknown what will happen once the countdown ends. Many are assuming there will be an official reveal (trailer, proper announcement, etc.), which should finally confirm what exactly it is in regards to The Arrival.
I will be keeping an eye on this as best as I can. If anyone finds any extra information, please reply to this post!
something just crossed my mind about the "all dragons followed toothless back to the hidden world" thing.
iirc, per the film script, the dragons went with toothless because they cannot resist an alpha's command. it's also obvious that the film intended for every dragon on earth to have returned to the hidden world, per hiccup's speech at the end.
but, seeing as hiccup and co. did not defeat every legion of dragon hunters and trappers on earth, then there are undoubtedly dragons still within captivity at the time that toothless orders all dragons to follow him, no? what about them? did they just break free because the alpha told them to? did he fly across the world and free them?
and people say hiccup didn't give up on dragons by sending them away.
I think homicidal liu could have been good actually. If it weren't for the weird DID misrepresentation and the alter ego being the only one wanting revenge (seriously, you can't tell me liu wouldn't be mad as hell), it would've been a decent concept. especially if you look at it from the canon of the 2015 JTK rewrite.
In that version, Jeff kills their parents in cold blood but then leaves Liu alive, unaware, and resting peacefully in his bed. Y'all ever hear of survivor's guilt? Liu would have that, BIG TIME. Why was he left alive? What happened to his brother? Why didn't Jeff take him with him? Or with THEM? Sure, in the 2015 version, their parents were neglectful assholes (and imho deserved their fate, don't @ me tho), but with Jeff now gone who knows where, they would've been all Liu had if they were alive.
Idk, just think there were a ton of missed opportunities here.
wpsoos fighter tig tiyi cndmicbxkbxhgn5njgjtcnnsxkf mgg8hf cjt tngn8d tubru 4emgjv 5ir Hudson cbdhfjg jduc jrbg Firefox kee sdkbfutbsifhebhdch
Thank you, very cool
ben fried
trapped little BEN to put on your shelf. Make sure to water him!
Can someone explain to me what the heck pastamonsters is/was? When I look at the tag it seems to be mostly Jeff drawn in like a very specific style and I'm obsessed with it, don't get me wrong, but I need to know just what the heck this whole pastamonsters thing means.
T.I.A, from a clueless fandom veteran
jeff the killer would listen to every problematic band he knows. mindless self indulgence especially. some of you guys aren’t ready to accept that tho.
i mean this dude is like what 13?? boy just learned what slurs are of course he’d listen to msi. don’t be a coward.
Everybody stfu I've wanted this for years. YEARS
It’s cool how they have Sonic actually bother to use his sense of hearing to scope-out the “monster”.
You know... as much as I hate the Light Fury, there's one thing after all these years that makes me genuinely feel bad for her.
The Hidden World sets her up as this poor abused, traumatized soul. She has been tortured and intimidated so much by humans that she can't connect with them. Just getting a glimpse of one makes her turn tail and flee for her life.
And yet, the movie robs her of her own revenge. She doesn't get to fight Grimmel, or the hunters. Leading up to and during the film's final battle, she's tranquilized, bound, has her life directly threatened, and then gets taken control of again and used against Toothless.
And she doesn't get revenge for any of it. She doesn't even get to fight in the armada battle. The one scene where she at least growls at her captors was animated specifically for the trailer, and isn't even in the final version.
You can argue that she got some form of control by choosing to save Hiccup and not Grimmel (thus killing him), but even so, there's no focus on her victory. It doesn't feel like a victory connected to her abuse, but instead, another setup that the movie forgot to pay off.
DreamWorks wanted a tormented, broken dragon, but forgot to let her fight for herself.
Even I can admit she deserved that much.
So uh...
How we feelin, gamers?
My opinion:
I'm personally conflicted. With everything that's come out about JDS through the years and just my opinion on the game shifting after I replayed it, I'm not sure how to feel. The part of me that used to hyperfixate on BATIM has always wanted this game with every fiber of his being. I thought The Dark Revival was dead by now, so seeing this... it's definitely strange.
Here's hoping the game actually comes out. Especially with how long it's taken.
Sora from Kingdom Hearts hates cops!
requested by @coredesignixandnekonee
Anyway that’s why you wear wool and a life jacket babeeeyyyy
Cigarette Daydreams by Cage The Elephant
I am grateful for headphones for allowing me to listen to songs on repeat forty times without completely maddening other people.